Lone ACC Team Knocked Out of N.I.T.

(J P Brown/AP Photo)

Minnesota 78, MIAMI 60 -- The Canes started slowly for the first 6:15 missing their first seven shots and never recovered.

Rodney Williams scored 21 points and he Gophers never trailed after starting the game on a 12-0 run. Williams scored 16 points in the first half and has now scored 20 or more in his last three games.

Minnesota (21-14) advances to the quarterfinals at Middle Tennessee on Wednesday night. The Blue Raiders defeated Tennessee earlier Monday.

The Gophers expanded a 35-23 lead at halftime with a 15-2 spurt early in the second half. Andre Hollins hit consecutive 3-pointers and Andre Ingram’s putback with 12:22 remaining ended the surge and gave Minnesota a 56-33 lead.

Rion Brown scored 16 points for Miami (20-13).

“We started the game very lethargic,” Miami coach Jim Larranaga said. “We never seemed to be able to generate any defensive intensity.”

The Gophers shot 58 percent as they converted 28-of-48 shots and out-rebounded Miami 41-26.

“I have no clue why we came out like that,” Brown said. “I can’t explain it.”